Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Gayo Mountain Pics...

photos by mason sager

We just returned from a remarkable trip to the Gayo Mountain region of Northern Sumatra. For several years Vita has been buying large quantities of exceptional coffee from a revered cooperative in the Lake Tawar area. On this trip our green coffee buyer Mason Sager was able to visit individual plots within the co-op, bring back detailed notes and samples, and focus our buying specifically to three brilliant farms near the Gayo River.click here to grab some from our online store... or starting tomorrow Tuesday May 12th grab a bag at one of our 5 locations.

The farmers in this valley are extraordinarily dedicated to their trees and surrounding environment, their passion for organic and sustainable technique is awe inspiring and these farms are in the final stretches of obtaining Fair Trade certification. Chilies, bananas, passion fruit, papayas, and towering shade trees all grow harmoniously amongst the coffee. It is a joy and an honor to be able to bring this coffee directly from the farmers hands to you, especially given the warm reception of hospitality and generosity we experienced in Gayo.

And the coffee? Hands down this is among the finest Sumatrans we have ever encountered, with impeccable flavor profile, low acidity and swaggering body. A rich, aromatic cup with well balanced flavors of dark berry, vanilla, baking spice, smoke and earthiness. Accented with notes of tobacco and hops throughout the warm, comforting finish.

And in the coming weeks expect a in-your-face essay from Onepot.org about our days on the ground in the Gayo Mountains. The remarkable story of the Aceh region rising from the ashes of the '04 tsunami, and how this tragedy put an end to the heartbreaking rebel fighting that made this one of the most dangerous places on the planet.